Efforts to Restrict Drone Surveillance of Livestock Facilities

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Legislative, Livestock, Regulation, Technology

In the state of Iowa, the House of Representatives passed a bill last week that restricts drone surveillance of livestock facilities without permission from the property owner. If Iowa House File 572 becomes law, remotely piloted aircraft couldn’t fly within 400 feet of homesteads or other areas where animals are kept. People caught in violation would face a simple misdemeanor …

NRCS Invests to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic Production

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Organic, USDA-NRCS

The NRCS is investing $75 million to assist producers transitioning to organic production.  As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.? NRCS will dedicate $70 million to assist producers …

Quiet Grain Trade before the Holiday Break

Sabrina Halvorson Agri-Business

The grain trade is expected to be somewhat quiet today ahead of the Easter break. Mark Oppold has more. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Commodity Prices, Interest Rates, Prompt Ag Economy Barometer Decline

Sabrina Halvorson Agri-Business

Farmer sentiment weakened again in March as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell eight points to a reading of 117. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations declined eight points in March, leaving the Current Conditions Index at 126 and the Future Expectations Index at 113. Weaker prices for key commodities, including wheat, …

Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced in U.S. Senate

Sabrina Halvorson Agri-Business, Legislative

Something we’ve talked many times about over the years is the Estate Tax, or as many know it as, the Death Tax. It has been a top issue for agriculture groups and has been discussed in our nation’s capital various times. And, it’s being discussed again, as last week Senator John Thune (R-SD) and 40 colleagues reintroduced legislation to permanently repeal …

Study Demonstrates Red Meat Exports’ Value to Corn and Soybean Industries

Sabrina Halvorson Agri-Business, Beef

A record value of beef and pork exports brought significant returns to the U.S. corn and soybean industries in 2022, according to an independent study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc. and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). U.S. pork and beef exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 15% per bushel to the value of corn and 13% per …

Grain Trade Focusing on Many Factors

Randall Weiseman Agri-Business

There are many factors the grain trade will be focusing on this week. Mark Oppold notes that includes last Friday’s planting intentions report. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

USDA Announces Funding to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Invest in Renewable Energy Systems and Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Dan Agri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Funding

President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Energy Costs, Builds America’s Clean-Energy Economy in Rural America (USDA-RD/WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications starting on April 1 for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. …